Humber River Shakespeare Presents TAMING OF THE SHREW, 7/6-8/2

The Humber River Shakespeare Company's annual outdoor theatre performances have become a popular summer tradition in the Humber and York regions. This year, the company returns for a third season with the touring production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, from Tuesday, July 6th to Monday, August 2nd. For the first time, the company will be touring in Alton, Mississauga and Caledon East.

"We're thrilled to be introducing a new tradition of theatre to these communities," says Artistic Producer Sara Moyle. "We're also looking forward to returning to Etobicoke, Bolton, Kettleby, King, Kleinburg, Schomberg, West Toronto and Woodbridge." Humber River Shakespeare is proud to work with 2010 presenting partners The Ontario Trillium Foundation, The Ontario Arts Council, Arts Society King and Toronto Community News. "We are pleased to have such generous support from these organizations, which allow us to continue to create and produce professional theatre and educational programs for a growing audience base," says Moyle. "The relationships we've built with local organizations, businesses and volunteers are also essential to our success." Community partners include The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Humber College School of Creative and Performing Arts, the City of Vaughan, Montgomery's Inn museum, Islington Village BIA, The Great Shakes Association, The Kettleby Village Association, The Schomberg Agricultural Society, the Township of Caledon, Cedar Glen YMCA and the King Museum.

Audiences can expect exciting swordplay, high adventure and low comedy. "THE TAMING OF THE SHREW will be set in the world of Hollywood pirates," says Artistic Director Kevin Hammond. "With a cast decked out in colourful pirate garb, we'll explore the themes of love, greed and marriage in this popular comedy. It should make you ask questions about how and why we love each other, what marriage is, and why the battle of the sexes endures."

As in Shakespeare's day, performances are staged in the open air, with a focus on actors-not elaborate sets-to tell the Bard's timeless stories. "We share with our local audiences a love and
respect for their beautiful parks and unique community spaces," says Moyle. "Our set is designed to bring focus to the natural environment and readily adapts to any venue." The company is delighted to be working with set and props designer Andrea Mittler, who most recently was Assistant Designer for Kiss Me Kate at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, and costume designer Nina Okens, a multiple Dora Award nominee.

The tour schedule is as follows:
July 6: Caledon East Park *
July 7 & 8: Dick's Dam Park, Bolton (Glasgow Road)
July 9: Cedar Glen, Schomberg *
July 10 & 11: Bindertwine Park, Kleinburg (299 Stegman's Mill Road)
July 13: King Museum, King Township (2920 King Road)
July 14 & 15: Schomberg Fair Grounds (319 Main Street)
July 16: Kettleby Village * (Tyrwhitt Conservation Area/Kettleby Fairgrounds)
July 17: Alton Mill *
July 18: Cold Creek Conservation Area (11th Concession & King Road)
July 20: Laskay Hall, King City *
July 21 & 22: Thorn Lodge Park, Mississauga
July 23 & 24: Etienne Brulé Park, Toronto
July 25: Montgomery's Inn, Etobicoke (4709 Dundas Street West)
July 28, 29, 30: The Old Mill Inn and Spa, Toronto (21 Old Mill Road) *
July 31, August 1 & 2: Montgomery's Inn, Etobicoke (4709 Dundas Street West)
* Guaranteed performances. Rain or shine.

Performances run Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7 PM, Sundays at 2 PM, and holiday Mondays at 2 PM. Admission is pay-what-you-can at the park. Suggested donation is $15. The patron information line is 416-209-2026. Online tickets are available at www.HumberRiverShakespeare.ca.

Humber River Shakespeare is the first outdoor touring Shakespeare company in the Humber and York regions. Led by Artistic Producer Sara Moyle and Artistic Director Kevin Hammond, the company seeks to enrich the artistic profile of communities along the historic Humber River by offering free, high-quality performances and workshops. Humber River Shakespeare strives to produce theatrically engaging work with an emphasis on making the text understandable and accessible to both the Shakespeare novice and the experienced theatre patron. Kevin Hammond, Artistic Director and Co-Founder is no stranger to Shakespeare's works. He spent five years as Artistic Director for Toronto's Shakespeare in the Rough (2001-2005), co-founded the Toronto Shakespeare Workout and teaches Shakespeare to young actors. Previously, Kevin was the assistant company manager for Soulpepper Theatre. He is currently the Executive Assistant of The Actors' Fund of Canada. Sara Moyle, Artistic Producer and Co-Founder grew up and currently resides in the Humber River region (Etobicoke) and has spent more than a decade in classical theatre. Credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Theater by the Bay), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Driftwood Theatre Group), Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare in the Rough), Romeo/Juliet: Remixed (Spark Productions) and Twelfth Night, A Christmas Carol and Much Ado About Nothing and the upcoming Taming of the Shrew (Humber River Shakespeare). Sara recently directed Cherry Docs at the City Playhouse in Vaughan, Ont.

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